Decreased Remote Start And RKE Range. Tire Pressure Sensors Values Are Not Displayed
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Jeep Compass brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2019 Jeep Compass have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Compass | 3 |
| 2017 Compass | 9 |
| 2018 Compass | 22 |
| 2019 Compass (this page) | 12 |
| 2020 Compass | 3 |
1crash
1injury
What stands out
Among the 9 model years of Jeep Compass in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates This bulletin involves reprogramming the PCM with the latest available software. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that one or more of the following DTCs have been set: P06E9 - Engine Starter Performance (North America Only). P0456 - EVAP System Small Leak. If DTC P0456 is present use the wiTECH Small Leak Verification test (SLVT) to determine if a leak is present in the system. P141B - Starter Control 1 Circuit Performance. P141C - Starter Control 2 Circuit Performance. P26E4-64 - Starter Control 2 Circuit-Signal Plausibility Failure. P0615-64 - Starter C
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Replacement of Front and Rear Wheel Speed Sensors Due to Oxidation or Water Intrusion Setting Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) This bulletin involves replacing all four wheel speed sensors due to oxidation or water intrusion into the sensor. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).B1 vehicles may have the following DTCs:C0031-01 - Left front speed sensor - General electrical failure. C0031-29 - Left front speed sensor - Invalid signal. C0034-01 - Right front speed sensor - General electrical failure. C0034-29 - Right front speed sensor - Invalid sig
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ROTOR, Brake, Front and PAD KIT, Front Disc Brake For a vibration, pulsation, or chatter while braking concern diagnosed as a front brake issue (rotors found to be warped or out of round, excessive thickness variation or runout), please replace both front rotors and pads and label removed parts as left or right. Please contact Mark Randall at (248) 520-3863 and leave a message with last 8 of VIN, dealer code, and odometer reading, so parts can be returned via FasTrack. If no response in 15 minutes, proceed with repair.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a brake system prone to multiple, distinct failures. Most common is excessive pedal sensitivity—the brakes grab or engage abruptly even with light pressure, making smooth braking difficult. One owner developed knee pain from the compensatory muscle effort required over 18 months of ownership.
Stopping power is inconsistent and dangerous. Several owners report the vehicle failing to stop despite full brake pedal pressure at speeds around 45 mph, resulting in or nearly causing rear-end collisions. Complaint #2 documents an actual collision at 18,000 miles with the vehicle refusing to stop; complaint #5 shows near-total brake failure at 12,000 miles, both triggering dealer diagnoses that never materialized into repairs.
The electronic parking brake activates on its own during normal driving, lurching the vehicle to a complete stop in traffic. Complaint #8 states this happened three times within six months of purchase. One owner described the terror of being immobilized mid-road and worrying about rear-end collisions.
Brake noise—grinding or squeaking—appears early (5,000 miles reported) and is intermittent, especially after cold starts. Dealerships have held vehicles for days unable to reproduce the noise, despite owners demonstrating it in real time. One owner's entire brake system was replaced at 3 weeks, only for the car to fail again in the dealership lot. Owners report being told "nothing is wrong" repeatedly across multiple dealer visits.
Same Jeep Compass brakes reports on nearby years: 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive brake pedal sensitivity / grabbing
Brake pedal engages abruptly with minimal pressure or behaves erratically, described as 'touchy,' 'grabby,' or unpredictably reactive. One owner reported repetitive strain injury to the knee from compensating for excessive pedal sensitivity.
When: Present since purchase or early ownership; complaint #1 at 79,119 miles; complaints #9, #10 ongoing from purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal engages abruptly with light pressure; Touchy/grabby braking behavior; Unpredictable brake reaction; Repetitive knee strain from compensatory effort; Brake service warning light illuminated (complaint #4)
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #4: rear calipers, actuators, and electronic parking brake system diagnosed as needing replacement; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint #1: dealership dismissed as 'normal'; complaint #4: related to NHTSA Campaign 18V523000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic)
Brake failure / inadequate stopping power
Vehicle fails to stop despite brake pedal depression, causing or nearly causing collisions. Complaints range from almost complete stop at light to complete failure to stop during slow traffic approach.
When: Complaint #2 at 18,000 miles; complaint #4 at 21,722 miles; complaint #5 at 12,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to stop when brake pedal depressed; Multiple warning lights illuminated before failure; Intermittent but recurring failure; Brake service warning light active
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #2: dealership diagnosed need for brake and tire replacement; not repaired. Complaint #4: rear calipers, actuators, and electronic parking brake system replacement needed; not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint #2: manufacturer informed; complaint #4: manufacturer informed and related to NHTSA Campaign 18V523000
Electronic parking brake unwanted engagement
Electronic parking brake activates independently during normal driving or comes to a complete stop, immobilizing the vehicle. In one case, brake lockup prevented vehicle from moving after restart.
When: Complaint #5 at 12,000 miles; complaint #7 mileage not stated; complaint #8 occurred three times within 6 months of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Parking brake activates independently while driving; Vehicle stops suddenly in middle of road; Brake lockup preventing forward motion; Service Electronic Parking Brake warning light illuminated; Multiple occurrences within short ownership period
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #5: rear calipers, actuators, and electronic parking brake system diagnosed as needing replacement; not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint #5: manufacturer informed; complaint #7 and #8: no manufacturer contact reported
Brake noise (grinding/squeaking)
Loud scraping, squeaking, or grinding sounds during braking. Noise is intermittent and difficult for dealerships to reproduce, yet persists during actual driving.
When: Complaint #3: months of noise; complaint #6: immediate (day of lease, 3/23/19); complaint #12: started at 5,000 miles, inconsistent
Symptoms owners cite: Loud scraping/squeaking sound when braking; Grinding noise when braking; Intermittent noise, especially on cold starts; Noise persists during extended dealership hold but cannot be duplicated in shop
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #3: dealership unable to replicate; held for diagnosis without resolution. Complaint #6: entire brake system replaced; issue recurred after repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint #3: owner noted brake recall with bleeding solution; VIN did not qualify for recall
Brake system defects requiring early replacement
Brake pads and rotors require premature replacement despite low mileage and short ownership. One owner at 20,000 miles over 37 months was told pads and rotors needed replacement due to insufficient driving.
When: Complaint #11 at 20,000 miles over 37 months (lease)
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pads and rotors worn prematurely; Early replacement needed despite low mileage
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership stated brake pads and rotors needed replacement at 20,000 miles
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
I have a lease car with just over 37 months and was told by the dealership the brake pads and rotor need replace because I did not drive the car enough. The car has only 20k miles
Had brakes trouble with your 2019 Jeep Compass?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2019 Jeep Compass?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 17,544 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Jeep/Compass.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.